Former Celtic academy prospect Ben Doak has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool, as announced by the English giants today.
The 17-year-old has enjoyed an incredible rise over the last 12 months, which start at Parkhead with the club’s B team.
In December of last year, having just turned 16, the winger made a goalscoring debut in the Lowland League and impressed in his handful of appearances.
Doak was quickly fast-tracked into the first team, making his first appearance amongst Ange Postecoglou’s squad in the Hoops boxing day victory over St Johnstone.
And he didn’t have to wait much longer for his debut after the return from the winter break, coming on as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Dundee United last February.
Just days later, Doak made another appearance off the bench, this time in the emphatic Glasgow derby victory over Rangers, which was an impressive feat by the teenager.
After featuring for the club’s first team, the youngster caught the eye, and plenty of other sides started to circle with transfer interest.
Ultimately, a call from English Premier League side Liverpool was too hard to turn down, and Doak made the move south of the border in the summer.
The former Celtic academy prospect has since gone from strength to strength, playing his part for the Reds youth sides, including several impressive performances in the UEFA Youth League.
Ben Doak rewarded for incredible rise at Celtic and Liverpool.
The young attacker marked his incredible progress in 2022 by making his first team debut for Liverpool last week in their Carabao Cup victory over Derby County.
And last weekend, Doak also featured as part of Jurgen Klopp’s squad on the bench against Southampton at Anfield.
Today, the winger was rewarded for his remarkable 12 months by signing his first professional contract at the six-time Champions League winners.
It is quite the feat for such a young player, particularly when you consider he only joined the club just under six months ago.
Ultimately, it will come as a disappointment to Celtic supporters to see one of our rising talents depart and achieve success elsewhere.
But when a huge club like Liverpool come calling, there isn’t much chance of a player saying no, and the Anfield side looks to have delivered on their promise of a pathway to the first team.
Overall, it should be a lesson that Celtic learn from. But it also showcases the talent still amongst the youth ranks; now we must do all we can to make sure their future is in Glasgow.
In other news, Former EPL referee delivers verdict on controversial Celtic penalty call.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
